Heineken Robots

I don’t know why I continue to let myself get shocked by these things. The first time I saw this commercial, I sat on the couch stunned, my jaw resting contemplatively on the floor. I know I should expect such objectification from advertisements, especially beer companies, but it never ceases to amaze me. As I watch a green sexy robot who eerily resembles a futuristic Stepford wife dance around, spout extra arms, slap her own ass, pour a glass of beer, and then open up to reveal two more, different-colored, but equally sexy robot-women, I begin to realize it’s no wonder we live in a rape culture. It’s no wonder men think it’s OK to treat women as less than human. Look at what they’re being told!

And the worst part? As the horror of the commercial finally ends, I turn my aghast face upon my mother’s only to find she is completely unaware of the blatant objectification, sexism, oppression, I could go on and on, screaming out from the TV screen! And this is in no way a comment against my mother. Instead, it is a lament to the fact that beer companies (along with many others) are showing ads such as these, and not only the men are buying into them. This form of objectification is becoming so mainstream and normal in our culture that we’re completely desensitized to it and don’t even notice when we’re being objectified right in front of our faces.

How are we supposed to fight and change our rape culture when men are constantly being told women are objects (i.e. robots), and women don’t even see the problem with this??